Ionia chamber 'joins forces' with businesses, agencies at expo

Opportunities for citizens to learn about what the Ionia area has to offer will be abundant at Saturday's Ionia Expo event, which attracts thousands of people each spring.

Opportunities for citizens to learn about what the Ionia area has to offer will be abundant at Saturday's Ionia Expo event, which attracts thousands of people each spring.This year, 120 vendors from the local area will be featured in the Ionia High School gymnasium, including 10 businesses who will be attending for the first time.

"We're happy to provide a venue that not only shows off the businesses that have been a part of this in the past, but also the new businesses," said Ionia Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tina Conner Wellman.

The Ionia Area Chamber partners with Ionia Public Schools and Michigan One Community Credit Union to host the event, which is free to the community. To make things easier to locate during the expo, the vendors are sorted into one of eight categories, including entertainment, event planning, food, home and garden, health and wellness, shopping, children and virtual Main Street.

"It's like eight mini expos under the roof of one expo," Conner Wellman added. "Everyone can walk away with something."

Michigan One Community Credit Union CEO and general manager Tim Hemenway said the main message of the Ionia Expo is to look close to home before traveling long distances to find what is needed. Many times, community members do not realize what they need is able to be found locally, he added.

"This is the cooperative nature of this event ... that's bringing local businesses and agencies together," said Hemenway.

In addition to vendors, raffles will be available and an entertainment stage featuring a karaoke contest with $50 prizes and magician Dave Odette at 10 a.m. will take place. Also, a "fun zone" set up by local Boy Scouts will have activities and games for children.

For attendees looking for a bite to eat before enjoying the vendors, the Ionia Firefighters Pancake Breakfast will take place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children from 6 years to 15 years old. Children 5 years and younger are free. The proceeds from the breakfast will help purchase firefighting equipment.

Community members who attend the Ionia Expo also have the opportunity to raise money for the Ionia Affiliated Athletic Boosters and the Ionia High School Lacrosse Team through a "Drive One 4UR School" event hosted by Harold Zeigler Ford in Lowell. Representatives from the dealership will be on hand with at least 10 new vehicles for attendees to test drive for free.

"We're very excited," said Teresa Steiner, the fixed operations director for Harold Zeigler Ford. "Our whole dealership is part of the event."

She said each test drive will raise $20, and the goal is $6,000, or 300 test drives which was accomplished last year. For drivers who have questions, a technician will be on hand during the event that will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license.

Hemenway added the Ionia Expo also allows business owners who are not a part of the chamber to see how the event can boost their sales.

Conner Wellman said vendors can expect to speak with 300 people during the event and be seen by hundreds more.

"Our goal is to connect members to the community. Expo is the largest opportunity," she added.